Breaking the rules...

So, I had checked on for my flight and was headed into the security checkpoint when a man decided to break the rules, right in from of me. Instead of walking through the maze of rope and stanchion barriers in the empty cue, he went right under them.

There was nobody in the cue to complain about his flagrant violation, and he did look pretty spectacular for a late 50s guy with a sweet comb-over and a Hawaiian print shirt, ducking under dragging his suitcase behind.

I dutifully followed the designated back and forth path to end up right behind him again while the TSA agent looked over his credentials. It made me wonder why he did it, and why I didn't do it? Is there even a rule against it? Does it matter?

But that is just like us, isn't it? We make up rules for our own conscience sake. We will pick and choose what rules we follow. We criticize and condemn others for breaking our made up rules.

In the end Hawaiian shirt guy didn't hurt anyone or anything, except for maybe his cool factor (although wearing the shirt itself might have already zeroed out any cool points that he had left after the comb-over). He didn't break any laws. He just did something I wouldn't do, is that so wrong?

The wonder of "Why?"...

            So, our little 8 year old has been asking us about her adoption. "Why did you pick me?" It has been 2 1/2 years since we flew to the other side of the world to bring her and her older brother home. At first I was a little taken aback by her question, "Why did you pick me?" How do you explain the convergence of mighty providence and weak faith that brought about such a magnificent change in their lives?

            "We didn't pick you, God planned it and picked you for us." I tried.

            A couple days later she tried it on my wife, "Why did you pick us?" My wife gave the only answer we know "We didn't, God did."

            Again last night she asked, "Why did you pick me?" 

            I tried the same answer but she interrupted this time "No, WHY did you pick me from all the kids in Kichiry? WHY did you pick me?" 

            I tried again "We didn't pick you, God..."

            "No, Daddy, WHY did you pick me?"

            A light bulb clicked on and I finally understood the question. She didn't want to know which of her attributes we based our selection on. She knows it wasn't her pretty eyes, or her mischievous smile, or her skinny chicken legs. She was looking for the purpose behind her adoption. She really wanted to know the answer to "WHY did you pick me?"

            There is a lot of gospel hidden in her two simple questions. Maybe I spend too much time self-absorbed and pondering the unanswerable question of why God picked me. Maybe I should spend more time searching out WHY God picked me.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

War or Peace...

So, it would seem that humanity was not created for war. Our skin is too thin, our vital organs too exposed, our senses too fragile, our bones too brittle, our feet too slow, and our muscles too weak to be truly effective warriors. It is our creativity that allows us to overcome our weaknesses. Sadly, creativity is our greatest weapon. Like Uncle Ben told Peter, "With great power comes great responsibility." How will we choose to use the creativity we have been given?

It's quiet...too quiet...

         So, we were visiting with some friends last night, sitting around the dining room table talking, when all nine kids came inside, into the dining room, all at once. The noise was pretty incredible. We shooed them all back outside to continue their game of hide and seek. The noise moved outside and we continued our conversation.

         I was reminded once again that there is no quiet in community. Whenever there is a bunch of people together, there will be some noise. Even in the most austere and intense prayer meetings, there is still the shuffling of feet, the sounds of breathing, the beating of hearts.

         It makes wonder about the times in my life when things are too quiet.